5 Things Must Consider Before Purchasing Land For A House

Sep 24, 2022 By Susan Kelly

Many people fantasize about one day realizing their dream of constructing their unique house, but first, they must acquire suitable land. By following our advice, you can streamline the process of purchasing land and avoid any unpleasant surprises. Land acquisition for residential construction is more involved than first meets the eye. The realization of a lifelong dream of many people is having a home constructed according to their exact specifications after spending countless hours poring atop gray house strategy magazines and driving through neighborhoods to get ideas. However, there are many moving parts in the design process, and the land or lot selected for the construction site must adhere to certain requirements.

What Things to Consider Before Purchasing Land for a House

The Land Might Require a Cash Payment

Unlike with pre existing homes, mortgage lenders have less certainty in raw, undeveloped land value. It can be prohibitively expensive to bring electricity to the site and to make exceptions for an outdoor space, water supply, and now a suitable sewer system, particularly for large plotlines of rural land. The good news is that lenders are more likely to back a new home build if the land itself can be purchased with cash. Take for granted that you possess the land and the lot in question. Your equity may be used as a deposit on a house on contractor financing, with the option to convert to a conventional mortgage once the building is complete.

Before Making an Offer, Hire a Realtor

Finding the perfect spot for your new home is a thrilling and enjoyable experience in itself. Take your time browsing online real estate listings, driving around potential communities, and attending upcoming auctions to find the perfect spot. Do not make an offer or submit a bid until you have spoken with a local real estate agent. If you hire an operator, you'll have more legal protections, like a way around the contract if this one turns out the land isn't suitable for building. Let's say you see a 5-acre plot for sale by the owner sign next to it and decide it would be the perfect spot to build someone's rural home purchase.

Find out How Much Nearby Homes Are Worth

A home's value can take a hit if it is surrounded by houses that aren't as nice as the one you're building. Value increases occur when a home is in the same price range or slightly lower than the homes in the immediate vicinity. Your permanent place may have trouble selling for its full value if its construction costs $500,000. However, the average home value in the area may be closer to $250,000.

Consider the Amount of Land You Need

Most city lots already have limitations on the number and type of homes built. If there is a zoning regulations authority rather than a building owner (HOA), you can ask them if a particular lot is suitable for building your dream home. Find out if there are any restrictions on building on the lot, such as covenants, from the real estate agent.

Be Aware Of the Risks Before Investing In Raw Land

Even if you find the perfect spot for having a good new house, it won't be worth much if you can't connect this same driveway to that same main road due to restrictions in the city ordinances. It is important to do your research in addition to employing a local expert agent who can help you identify potential pitfalls.

Conclusion

Are you tired of searching Zillow for your ideal home? Consider purchasing land and constructing your residence. Buying land and constructing a home offers much more independence than buying an already-built house. However, a trained real estate agent's assistance should be sought out as soon as possible because the procedure is significantly more involved. Are you prepared to launch? Use Clever to locate a highly regarded real estate agent in your area who focuses on property sales. If individuals qualify, you can get a cash refund from us at the time of closing on your new home, and our customer is free of charge.

Related articles